Because I didn't get a chance to steal the poster, I have forgotten most of the symptoms of mental illness that were printed on it. The only one I remember is that if you keep on searching for something repeatedly in one place, that's a symptom of mental illness. I recall that symptom because I have observed it in myself at times.
Over the years since that morning in 2011, I have learnt more about such mental illnesses as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, manic-depressive disorder and depression. Today, allow me to talk about depression whose symptoms include:
- Oversleeping in the morning
- Loss of interest in life and in hobbies
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Carelessness
- Failing to observe hygiene
- Excessive guilt
Personally, I have had my own share of struggle with depression. There are some days I have found it difficult to get out of bed in the morning even after having been asleep for more than eight hours. I have also at times lost interest in such hobbies of mine as reading, writing and playing the piano.
While most of us suffer from depression once in a while, for some, depression can hit them so severely that they contemplate suicide. It can be that serious.
You may ask: what causes depression? It is triggered by such setbacks as theft, divorce, conflicts, criticism, rejection, career failures, loss of a loved one or break-up with girlfriend/boyfriend. I understand depression can also be an inherited trait.
Now that I have mentioned the symptoms of depression and its causes, what now remains is for me to discuss how we can deal with depression and overcome it. Here are my suggestions on how we can achieve that:
- Finding something we enjoy doing and doing it regularly: It could be writing, singing, designing websites or playing a musical instrument.
- Doing physical exercises: Such exercises as walking, jogging, cycling or playing ball games improve mood and outlook. So if you are depressed, I advise you to go out there and do some physical exercises instead of sitting indoors bemoaning your fate.
- Laughing: We should use the power of laughter to kill the demons of depression. So we ought to laugh at old jokes and try to look at the sunny side of everything.
- Talking to a friend: Sometimes depression can overwhelm us so much that we can't muster the will to laugh, engage in a hobby or do some physical exercises. When that happens, we can talk to a close friend about our feelings. It could cheer us up.
- Praying: We can also pray to God when depressed and share with Him our sorrows. That could alleviate our depression because as I heard my friend Peter Daniel say, depression is the scientific name for demonic oppression.
- Consulting a doctor: If depression persists even after taking the above steps, then maybe we can humble ourselves and see a doctor (a psychiatrist to be precise) who will counsel us and give us medication to ease depression.
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RECOMMENDATION: If you've enjoyed this story of mine on depression, you might also enjoy another one I wrote sometimes back on "How to Get Your Mojo Back". Just click on that link in blue to dive straight into the story.
